Senior Security Officer

University of Maryland Medical System; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland Medical System is seeking a security professional to serve as a zone-level lead with autonomy for moderately complex incidents. You will guide junior officers, handle behavioral health support for high-acuity patients, and oversee patrols, access control, and incident response across assigned zones.

The role requires strong leadership, crisis intervention, and professional conduct, with emphasis on effective communication and collaboration with clinical teams and external

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Completion of an approved de-escalation course within 90 days of start.
• Valid driver's license required for hires after April 1, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas, monitor access points, respond to routine calls, and enforce policies to maintain safety.
• Provide zone-level leadership, direct lower officers during incidents, and ensure policy compliance.
• Lead responses to emergencies and high-risk incidents, including behavioral health crises.
• Perform advanced behavioral health support, assist with transfers and coordination with clinical teams.
• Conduct investigations, document findings, and prepare incident reports for risk mitigation.
• Operate and troubleshoot security systems, respond to alarms, and document malfunctions.

Skills

Leadership

Crisis intervention

Communication

De-escalation

Education

High School Diploma

De-escalation course

Job description

Job Summary

Performs core security functions with enhanced autonomy, technical expertise, and leadership responsibilities. Serves as a zone-level lead, exercising independent judgment during moderately complex incidents, guides junior officers, and provides advanced behavioral health support for high-acuity patients. Troubleshoots security systems, conducts preliminary investigations, and ensures optimal resource deployment within assigned zones. Promotes operational excellence by modeling effective communication, crisis intervention skills, and professional conduct.

Job Requirements

Performs core security functions with enhanced autonomy, technical expertise, and leadership responsibilities. Serves as a zone-level lead, exercising independent judgment during moderately complex incidents, guides junior officers, and provides advanced behavioral health support for high-acuity patients. Troubleshoots security systems, conducts preliminary investigations, and ensures optimal resource deployment within assigned zones. Promotes operational excellence by modeling effective communication, crisis intervention skills, and professional conduct.

Primary Responsibilities

• Performs all core security functions, including patrolling assigned areas, monitoring access points, responding to routine calls for service, and enforcing organizational policies to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Provides zone-level leadership and exercises independent decision-making, performing advanced security duties with expanded authority, autonomy, and responsibility. Directs lower leveled officers during incidents and ensures adherence to policies, safety standards, and lawful use-of-force practices.
• Leads responses to complex emergencies and high-risk incidents, including combative individuals, behavioral health crises, elopements, pediatric/obstetric emergencies, child abduction/AMBER events, trauma activations, and multi-scene or simultaneous calls.
• Performs advanced behavioral health support, guiding crisis interactions, leading de-escalation efforts, and coordinating closely with clinical teams. Manages high-risk patient transfers, escorts to/from PES, behavioral health units, TRU, and supervises 1:1 patient details to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Monitors Department of Corrections inmates and other high-security patients, ensuring proper coordination with DOC personnel and strict adherence to secure handling protocols.
• Direct and prioritizes calls for service within assigned zone, coordinates officer responses, allocates resources, and intervenes when a situation requires higher-level technical or safety expertise.
• Conducts preliminary investigations with advanced fact-finding, interviewing involved parties with professionalism and clinical sensitivity, assessing credibility of statements, identifying relevant evidence, and providing findings to supervisory personnel for further action.
• Prepares clear, detailed, and objective incident reports, documenting high-acuity events, safety violations, system malfunctions, service requests, and access-control issues to support risk mitigation and operational continuity.
• Operates, troubleshoots, and adjusts security technology systems, including weapon detection equipment, badge readers, and access control devices. Responds to alarms, malfunctions, and access breaches, ensuring proper documentation and escalation.
• Controls access to restricted, high-risk, or regulated areas, provides authorized entry, and escorts external responders (fire, EMS, vendors, service technicians) to secure or technical areas as needed.
• Conducts zone-level safety rounds, identifying and correcting fire hazards, safety risks, and environmental deficiencies, and reporting hazards through appropriate channels.
• Resolves complex customer service concerns independently, ensuring timely follow-through and ownership while modeling exceptional guest-relations standards for lower leveled officers.
• Provides training, coaching, and mentorship to new and entry-level officers, including instruction on post procedures, zone operations, equipment use, communication standards, and professional conduct.
• Assists supervisors with onboarding, helping orient new personnel to workflows, policies, and departmental expectations.
• Maintains accurate morgue documentation and performs special handling duties, logging the placement and release of deceased patients and transporting them when assigned, ensuring chain-of-custody accuracy and respectful handling.
• Coordinates with local fire departments and external agencies during drills, emergencies, and scene operations, ensuring appropriate actions are taken to support safety and reduce response times.
• Represents the Security Department professionally, fostering a safe, welcoming environment, and demonstrating advanced communication skills across clinical and non-clinical interactions.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Work Experience

Education & Experience - Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)
• One (1) year security experience
• Completion of an approved de-escalation course on crisis intervention required within 90 days from starting in position.
• Valid driver's license is required for all individuals hired into this role on or after April 1, 2026.

Education & Experience - Preferred

• Heart Saver, CPR, Stop the Bleed and/or Narcan training
• Hospital or healthcare experience